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The GST appears unfair, as it hits the poor much harder than it does the wealthy. But that's due to the way it is implemented, and it doesn't need to be that way. The St Vincent de Paul Society would like to see it increased, but with a more sophisticated and fairer compensation mechanism.
Some will be concerned by the black and white treatment of climate change in Tony Kevin's book. There is common ground now to generate significant policy changes with a focus on wellbeing, even while the CO2 debate continues to rage.
Australia has spent the past decade in a consumer frenzy, while social infrastructure vital to our wellbeing has been neglected. The Government's belated $40 billion National Broadband Network will have many long-term benefits.
The 'trickle down' of wealth proclaimed by neo-liberalism is debatable, and hardships flowing from sub-prime activities descend on the disadvantaged with the finesse of a freight train. Some economists have demanded the GDP measure be replaced by goods and services data that promote the common good.
Malcolm Turnbull laughed off the Government's half-baked attack on his wealth last week. With Australians more interested in who a politician represents, he has the opportunity to protect the poor by imposing increased regulation on the finance sector.